Playing Spiderman!

Well, grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I love that greeting! Today is Thursday and I am so happy! It is payday, Papa has tonight off from WalMart, I have no where to go and I am starting to see a beautiful purple sunrise across the water. What an awesome day!

The downside is I will be busy figuring all this diabetes stuff out. The walking is going good. The diet is what I need to work on. Changing a carb diet to a healthy one is going to be the hardest. I met with the Diabetes specialist (Debbie) yesterday... she showed me how to use my meter to check my blood twice a day. She gave me lots of helpful handouts and I got a book... it is very simple to understand. Just everything at once yesterday was overwhelming. I was exhausted last night! Punkin and I fell asleep in the chair last night before Papa got home. I was in bed by 9! I will get this stuff figured out today. Debbie said to take it one step at a time.

Well... we got Punkin 3 years ago today! We saw an ad on Craigslist. Dylan and Maddie had gone to church with us that Sunday and after church we stopped at this apartment in Poulsbo. The lady had 2 kids... a toddler and 13 year old boy. Punkin wasn't her cat... some family moved away next door and just left her. I hate that! So this nice lady started to feed her. However, her cat hated Punkin and was cruel to her. I think the boy teased her a lot and played rough with her too. So she needed to find a home for her and the rest is history! We brought her home and she has been happy ever since. I thought about naming her freckles because of her face, but Maddie and Dylan liked Punkin' because it was close to Halloween and her colors. So that is her story.

She got upset because I took a picture of her taking a bath. lol! We call today her birthday because we got her today. She was 2 so now she is about 5 years old! Happy Birthday, Punkin!

Yesterday was a pretty good day. I went to the doctors and then I went up to Karla's and visited for about an hour. It was such a good visit. We haven't sat and just talked in a long time. I love her so much! My baby girl. :) Their family went and visited with mom last night and brought her some flowers for her birthday. She loved it!!!

Anyway.... after leaving Karla's I went down and visited with mom for about an hour. Libby arrived and we shared some laughs. We left at the same time....so mom could watch her TV show....the Closer. lol

I went to pick up Dylan at school and went to Dairy Queen for his birthday! Enjoyed talking with him! Next we went up to Maddie's school and parked the van. We walked around the whole school perimeter.... along the fence. It was over a mile. Have you ever seen the cartoon where the big dog is walking and the little one is running circles around him? That was us! He has so much energy! We talked and laughed and walked... it was awesome! Except this one part along the fence.... the path got smaller and smaller until there wasn't one! So I am holding onto the fence so I don't fall down this long bank! I started singing "Spiderman, nobody knows who you are...." from the old cartoon. Dylan said "I know who he is." He's never heard the song before. lol! Talked with my friend, Cyndi (the music teacher) outside the school waiting for Maddie.. and then Maddie came out and I got big hugs! Good to see my girl. (Maddie, not Cyndi... although she is nice she is not my girl. ;D)

Well.... best started getting into this diabetes crap. Trying to be positive about it. I have to be. It is hard because I am now diabetic forever whether I get my insulin levels down or not. I am branded with this freakin' title. I should have never let it get to this and I am mad at myself. But it is hard to drive forward when looking in the rear view mirror... so I will go where I need to go instead of worrying about where I've been.

I hope you all have a great day! Thank you for all your greetings, messages, phone calls, etc for my mom's birthday. She said "I know who loves me!" It really does show who cares, doesn't it? And so many people care about my mom! I am blessed to have her as a mom. She is amazing. Don't forget to check out her blog from her birthday on the left of this post! xoxo

Farmers Almanac forecast for the NW

Free 2-Month Weather Forecast

SEPTEMBER 2010: temperature 60° (1° below avg.); precipitation 1" (0.5" below avg.); Sep 1-8: Scattered showers, cool; Sep 9-14: Sunny, cool; Sep 15-18: Sunny, then showers, warm; Sep 19-22: Scattered showers, cool; Sep 23-25: Sunny, warm; Sep 26-30: Rain, mild.

OCTOBER 2010: temperature 57° (3° above avg.); precipitation 2.5" (0.5" below avg.); Oct 1-4: Sunny, seasonable; Oct 5-7: Rain, wind, mild; Oct 8-11: Rain, cool;Oct 12-19: Showers, then sunny, warm; Oct 20-26: Rainy periods, mild; Oct 27-28: Heavy rain; Oct 29-31: Showers.

Annual Weather Summary: November 2010 to October 2011

Winter temperatures will be slightly above normal, on average, with slightly below-normal precipitation but above-normal snowfall in most places. The coldest periods will occur in mid-December and mid- to late February, with the snowiest periods in mid-December and late February.

April and May will be cooler and drier than normal.

Summer will be drier than normal, with below-normal temperatures, on average, in Washington and above-normal temperatures in Oregon and California. The hottest periods will occur in late July and early August.

September and October will be slightly drier than normal, with near-normal temperatures.

Temperature and Precipitation November 2010 to October 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DYLAN!!!!

Happy Birthday, Dylan! Enjoy your teen years the next 5 years will go fast!

Today my grandson, Dylan turns into a teenager! He has been acting the part for quite awhile... so he has been practicing! lol!

Here is some expressions and photo's to try to describe our Dylan....

one of my favorite kids in the world!!!!

He likes Pizza.... here he was drinking water... trying to be healthier.

He likes to spend the night at Mam's and sleep with his cat, Punkin.

He is competitive and likes to win!

He loves his sister..... but he likes to make his sister angry too.

Dylan loves the beach

And sports.... he loves to go to the Mariner games, Seahawk games... and loved

to play baseball.

Mom had a great birthday yesterday. I am calling her right now to update her blog. Check it out with the pictures... leave her a message too if you want!!! http://elainelangager.blogspot.com/

Today I got to my meeting with the diabetes specialist lady. Not looking forward to it.... but I don't have a choice. That's all I got going on today! I hope you all have a great day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAMA!!!!

My mom is 83 today and she is still beautiful, smart and sweet... and I love her so much!

To think it all started because Carl and Irene Lohre fell in love and wed.... then came my mama!

Today I am going over to her house and taking her to Berta's to get her hair done at 11! Then we may go out to lunch. She will need an afternoon nap because we are having her birthday party tonight. It will be pizza and Dairy Queen cake. Tara is picking up pizza at Costco and Libby is getting the cake. It will be so much fun! I am looking forward to it!

Don and Lois are slowly getting settled. Moving is not fun. I dread the day we do it again.

I did nothing yesterday but work on mom's gift. Libby took mom to physical therapy. Mom liked it (well the guy anyway). She did really well. He had her dancing as part of her therapy. lol! I can't wait to see. She is up cleaning and cooking for herself again. I am so thrilled. I thank God for her health and her turning 83 today! Thank you for my mama, God!

It is soccer time!

This is our Riley girl! The other soccer player. We went and saw her play yesterday! Isn't she a doll? She just got her hair cut and I didn't even recognize her! I kept looking for her and Tara had to point her out on the bucket. I love it. She looks so much older!

Does this pose Coach Brad is doing look familiar? It reminded me of Ryan at Andrew's game... telling them what to do as he is doing it. How often do we do that? lol!
Here is a picture of Riley and her coaches!
Papa enjoyed watching the game and spending time with his own baby girl!
It was a good game. I think we won. Two games in one weekend! I think soccer season is here!

Before we went to the game we dropped dog bones off for Sandy. Gregory had given them to us because his dog didn't like them.... but when we would give Toby one he would go off and bury it. So we knew Sandy would like them and dropped them off for her.... Papa wanted to see Ry, too. He doesn't see his kids as often as he should either. :(

Next, we went and picked up Lois to surprise mom. Lois got alot of unpacking done so we while Don went to Ellensburg to pick up his other car.... Lois went to visit mom for a couple hours. Mom was so surprised! She didn't think she would see Lois until tomorrow. It was wonderful.

We took her home after the game.

Speaking of wonderful.... my mom is amazing! So is God! When we got to the apartment mom was in the kitchen without her walker cleaning!!!! Say what???? She even cooked herself some eggs for breakfast! So exciting. She looks good, sounds good and is feeling better!

Libby called yesterday and is taking today off. She is going to take mom to her physical therapy this morning and to get her coumadin checked this afternoon. So I will be home all day cleaning and working on my mama's birthday present! I am staying home ALL DAY! Can you believe it?

Tomorrow is my mama's birthday! So I am taking her to get her hair done. Then we are having pizza and a Dairy Queen cake in the evening. That is all she wanted for her birthday was a Dairy Queen cake. So I am looking forward to this week. ;D

I have been switching browsers these last couple days. I had Mozilla Firefox. I loved alot of things about it but it got real slow and it would take forever for pictures to come up. So I thought I would try Google Chrome. It was fast but missed alot of things I need. Next I tried IE8 (Internet Explorer 8) and now I remember why I got rid of IE. It is slow... bogs down. So get rid of that and try Opera. Yuk. Remove that and try Safari. So far I love it!!!! Very fast, pictures up fast, saves passwords, secure, awesome. Praying it stays dependable.

Well, that's my story! Hope you had a good weekend. Papa works all but Thursday night this week so I am sad. But it will be a great week anyway.... will be walking by myself but I will walk. The doctor told me 5 days a week. We are walking 6... taking Sundays off. Or using that day for a make up day in case we miss during the week. So far we've done great!

Have a wonderful week full of blessings! xoxo

Moving Day!

Yesterday was another awesome day! Thank you, Lord, for blessing this family! I am so thankful! Everything is going great.... the weather was amazing yesterday.... sunny and a warm breeze!
Perfect moving weather... and that is what happened! Our week long house guest, my niece, Denise, was really happy! Not sure if it was because she was getting out of my house or if it was because they are finally out of Yakima and back home in Kingston!!!!
Here are all the Cultons happy to be back in Kingston. My sister Lois and her daughter Denise and husband Don!
Lois and Denise take a break from unpacking!
The happy couple have been married over 40 years!
ok.... I made them smile.... here is the truth....


While they unloaded the U-Haul I stopped at Lauren's game and got to watch her play! She is getting so aggressive but still smiling. I think she likes soccer! She almost scored too! Next week she might... this was only her second game!
Riley had a game, too, but we missed it. I didn't get up until after 8 and her game was at 9! But she did win her game and she scored twice! She's played 3 years I think. Jordy and Andrew used to play too. Andrew is talking about playing for the high school team.

When we came home Papa did his usual business... mowed and washed vehicles. I cleaned up the house. Then we walked our mile again. I hit a pothole and jarred my back.. only gave me a slight headache but no lasting affects on the walk or this morning! Yeah!!! My back has been a problem for years... but now it hardly hurts on the walk. God is good.

Very sad Heather and the boys didn't make it. We may have to go over there to see them since they won't be here the whole month of October. :(

I stopped and saw Kevon the other day. I don't see my son often and he only lives about 10 miles from me. I only see him if I stop by there. He is very busy.... he is boss man now, working side jobs and still has band practice. I told him I worry he will burn out. I miss him alot. I wish I saw him more rather than just phone conversations.... but it is what it is for now. There was a time I was too busy for my parents. I regret it now.

I really don't know what today will bring. Planning on going to Riley's 1:00 game! Not much else I am thinking. But God only knows! Every day is like a present we slowly unwrap. Maybe that is why it is called "present". ???

Have a great day! xoxo

Mama missed me! Change of plans!

Good morning! I thought I would send these beautiful clouds Theresa's way. The sun is behind then and you can see the mountains in the distance.

Today is sunny! And moony! lol! Sitting on my deck this morning I took this picture of the moon! It is going to be another pretty day!

Don and Lois already called this morning at 8... they were in Port Orchard with the U-Haul! They are anxious to move here! Plus some construction work on the pass helped them come over early.

This morning Papa is going to help them move and I will supervise. lol! Brother Rick is over and spending the night with mom... she will like that! Busy weekend and not much time to write. Please pray for Dylan... he called this morning and is sick. Catching a cold. Thank you, friends!

Yesterday I was going to get some things done around here and visit with my niece, Denise, who has been staying all week here. I haven't seen her much! Karla took mom to the doctor to check her coumadan level.... I called mom to see how she was doing. She said she missed me. There went my day. I put my sweats on and headed over. Libby stopped by there and so did papa. Papa got put to work helping a neighbor of mom's move her bed down through the elevator and outside. I got mom settled for her nightly routine and we came home and walked a mile. It was really windy but felt so good.... 4th day in a row walking. Come on girls... join me. Make time. It will encourage me if you do it! xoxo

Enjoy your weekend! Gotta run!

We are all doing good.... thank you God!!!!

What a nice day yesterday! Went and spent the day with my mom! When I got there Pastor Duane Sabin was visiting mom. It was so funny! The door was locked so I unlocked it and he was down on his knees holding mom's hand like he was proposing! He started giving me a hard time for interrupting them. I said "this is awkward". We laughed. By the way.... he was praying with her! They have been friends for over 40 years! He led her to the Lord. He performed the ceremony when Lois and Don married, and mom and dad's 50th anniversary renewal of vows. He has always been there for our family and we love him. It was great seeing him!

Then a bit later my brother David came over! We visited for awhile and tried to explain mom's medical situation to him. He is black and white and just wants her fixed. It's not that easy. So we had a great visit with him... then he had to a side job he is doing. We had to go to the doctor.

We went to her Kidney Doctor... Dr. Vassan. Nice guy! He was really happy with all her lab results, her vitals were great, and her kidneys improved from a 12 to 15.... whatever that means. Just know it is good. We got in there right away and had a good visit. Came back to her place and I cooked her a steak for dinner. Then I did her dishes, got her night meds and fresh water, put fresh water by her bed and turned her blankets back and her light on....shades drawn and she was good to go. She didn't even have a nap today so she was in bed by 7:30.

I came home and we went for a walk.... expanded it longer. Feels so good!!!! Three nights in a row we walked!

The Old Mill Days is arriving this weekend in Port Gamble! They are putting the rides up already! Doubt we'll make it but it looks fun. Just not as fun without little ones. :(

We've been going to bed early. Last night it was 9:00! Talked to Betty Lou for a bit before bed. Lanny and I watched "The Big Bang Theory" and the new comedy with William Shatner and that is all we could take (I recorded Greys and going to watch when I am done).

I did a big no-no the other day. When something serious happens like someones health... I contact all of our kids. I made sure to call Karla, Tara, Heather, Amanda, and Kevon. (By the way... they were all very supportive!!! Ryan text me last night with his encouragement). Anyway.... you have to tell them all or this will happen:

Karla: Diabetes, huh?

Mom: Didn't I tell you?

Karla: No, you were going to send me a link. I had to find out from Tara.

Mom: I am so sorry!!!! I didn't sent the link either, did I?

Karla: No. I checked my email last night and this morning.

I felt terrible. Karla is my main go-to with my health. She is the only one I give access to all my health records through Group Health and I told her I would send her the link.... and I didn't mention the diabetes? I couldn't believe it. I am sorry Karla. She wasn't mad... just pointing out.

Karla is taking mom down the hill to get her coumadin levels checked this morning. I am getting poor on gasoline. Mom is about 15 miles away... so it is quite a bit of gas going back and forth all week... and I am not working. Ouch. Karla lives 2 miles from grandma. I am thankful she is doing this for me this morning! Thank you Karla!

I am so blessed! Mom is getting better and she is more positive (getting de-duggalized), Papa and I are doing something about our health and it feels good, all our grandkids and kids are healthy and happy and have great lives, my sister is moving lots closer this weekend, I have great blogger friend who care and pray, I have wonderful brothers and sisters who I am closer with now than ever, our grandkids are doing well in school and love it (pray for Parker and his math, though), I have a Savior who loves me and blesses me beyond measure, and I have a Savior I can always count on, trust and love!

Hope you all have a great day! I cannot wait until Julie's son is home from Afghanistan! It will be soon so keep on praying!

It's up to me!!!!

I am feeling pretty good this morning. I pretty much have wrapped my head around the fact things have changed for me. My carb diet isn't working. I love carbs. I am full blooded Norwegian so anything white I love... breads, biscuits, potatoes, gravy, milk.... white, white, white. I don't eat many sweets at all. But I love my carbs. A no-no for a diabetic. I have to meet with the dietitian next week and get that pokey thing to check my levels. That won't be fun. But I will do what I have to do to get Papa and I healthier. This year I have dropped 20 pounds! I am happy! Andrew and I figure I can drop another 20 by Thanksgiving. I am going to use family as coaches. Andrew already agreed to help me!

I sure slept good! Mom did too... I just called her. She is on her own... but I am going over this morning and then we have a doctor appt with her kidney doctor this afternoon. So I'll be gone all day.

Well.... best get ready to go to mom's! Hope you all have a good day! ;D

walking and smiling about it!

I have to change this around. I don't like blogging in the afternoon.. or night. I am a morning person. But I've been so busy. Beyond busy it seems.

This morning I watched DWTS to see who was voted out. I want to see "The Situation" leave. I don't think much of him. Everyone actually looked pretty good for the first show! I was impressed. Hard to believe Florence is in her 70's!

I met mom and Libby at mom's new doctor! Everyone at the clinic is really nice. It is just down the hill from mama's apartment. The doctor... Dr. Connie Tamada... looks about 14 years old. She is such a cutie! She is a very good listener and I can see she works with the patient. She was very caring with mom and it was such a great visit. Mom likes her... that is what counts.

After the visit I went and sat with mom a few hours. At nap time I came home for lunch. Went back at 4 and mom was awake.... she didn't sleep too well.... the phone kept ringing. We visited for awhile and then she sent me home to walk. (Which is another story) I was reluctant to leave her but we have to sooner or later. She got herself dinner when I just called. I will check again.

I got my test results back. My thyroid, cholesterol, and tons of stuff look really good. However, my hemoglobin was 12.1 and my glucose was 493. What the heck? So my doctor said "Lots of walking, lots of water, change of diet, and pills." But I can turn this around! That is the good news! Went walking with Papa and Denise tonight. It was a good walk. Papa is going to do all this with me! That will help so much. Time for a life style change. I have two choices... one is do nothing and end up on insulin.... or do what Dr Annie tells me and get off the pills and get healthy in so many ways! I can do this! I am really excited. Pray for us!

Well, that is all... will try to think of something to talk about in the morning. ;D

2 shots, 1 blood draw, and I'm done!!!!

Today is the last day of summer. That is sad. But it was such a beautiful, sunny day! A bit cool but that is Fall for you! ;D

Went to the doctor first thing in the morning. (History....Last week while shopping I felt like I was going to pass out! I even called Lanny it scared me so bad.)

Since I hadn't been to the doctor since February I thought I should check in with her. I have lost some weight.... but she wants me to start walking: 30 minutes 5 days a week. I asked her "How about 3?" She said "You can start out at 3 days a week." I said "I mean 3 minutes a day." She laughed. I think that was a no.

So Papa and I went for a walk tonight. We went a little ways and had to back track because the cat was following us! Brought her home and started off again.

Anyway... back at the clinic... Dr. Annie (Chun) is checking my glucose, thyroid, iron, everything. My blood pressure was great. I also got a pneumonia shot (won't need another one of those until I am 65... 11 years away.... good cuz that arm is sore!) and I got a flu shot in my other arm. Needles really don't bother me at all. I am up to date and good to go ... at least with my

immunizations. I think it is important for me since I am around mom, Makoa, and the 10 grandkids... and maybe will get called by the schools? Now we wait on the lab results.

Stopped at mom's after the doctors to give her a full report... and her and Libby were sitting in housecoats watching the view. We laughed. Talk about ladies of leisure! Eventually they got dressed, took several walks, and Libby made a stew. So they had a good day. I took a fragrance diffuser to mom. I love mine so I gave one to mom too. Apple/cinnamon scent. Tomorrow I am taking her turkey wings. Her favorite. She is feeling pretty good!

Also tomorrow Libby and I are taking mom so we can all meet her new doctor! I am excited. Praying she is a wonderful, compassionate, insightful doctor!

Toby was in hog heaven tonight. Or should I say dog heaven. He got some giblets from the turkey, Papa came home early so they went for a spin in the truck, and he got to go for a walk and pee in lots of different spots. Very happy. The only thing that would have topped it would have been for Sandy to visit. lol! but he sure loves having Denise here. She pets and scratches him and loves on him. Both Toby and the cat are loving our guest.

Our cat loves her so much she brought Denise a treat today. I was gone and we had forgotten to tell Denise to check the cats mouth before letting her in.... to see if she is alone. ooops. She didn't check and the cat came in with a live bird and chased it around. Denise got the cat out but the bird disappeared. I came home and she had searched every where for it. We waited it out and it eventually flew out of the bedroom and I got it out the back patio door and it went across the yard under the bushes. I am sure it was under my bed. I love my cat SO MUCH but how do you explain we don't need gifts.

I've been sitting here watching Denise play video games. She kicks her leg as she moves her control. Too funny. She is a very easy wonderful guest. Listens to music, plays video games, does puzzles, self entertaining.

Well, time to check out facebook! Enjoy your night.

She's home again.... for good I pray!

Isn't this the most beautiful sight you have ever seen? I took this picture of my mom this morning. I love my mama. She looks so good. She is feeling much better. I went to the hospital yesterday morning and just got home this afternoon! She was tested for C-diff.... negative! Yippee! The doctor came in and told us (me, mom and Libby) mom has a hiatal hernia A hiatal hernia occurs when part of your stomach pushes upward through your diaphragm. Your diaphragm normally has a small opening (hiatus) that allows your food tube (esophagus) to pass through on its way to connect to your stomach. The stomach can push up through this opening and cause a hiatal hernia...and a small bleeding ulcer. That is where the anemia comes from. They are treating her and she is already getting more energy, her eyes are alert, she is eating and food actually sounds good to her now. The doctor told her "little" meals... which is no problem for her. I think the transfusion helped alot, too.

I got her dressed and brought her home in the afternoon. Papa and Denise came and we made her bed up and it was a good afternoon. I spent the night with mom.

This morning we went to the doctor to get her fistula tested. They run a test for about 30 minutes to see how it is doing. We dropped off a new prescription (for her stomach). I filled up all her pill boxes (again). Had to pull some out and change things around for a new list from the hospital.

She has decided to switch her primary care doctor. She has had him about 4 years and he has an Rx degree so he got her doing great back then because she was being over medicated. So she sees that he had saved her life. But the last couple visits he has been so negative. Dr. Duggel was pretty mean to her (shouting) about forgetting a medicine at one visit ....the other doctor came in and apologized. Last visit he pretty much told her this is expected because she is getting old and going to die. Pretty much gave up on her. So mom left very defeated. Very sad a doctor would talk to someone like that... where is the encouragement and hope???? His bedside manner has always been pretty pathetic. I called and got her an appointment with a "woman" doctor... an Internal Medicine doc just down the hill from her house. The receptionist said she is very sweet and compassionate. That is what mom needs. I find female doctors much more sympathetic and gentle. Libby and I are both taking mom so we can meet her.

Libby is taking care of mom the next couple nights. Mom, Lib and I spent over a half hour filling out mom's new forms for the new doctor (4 pages of check marks and questions) and we laughed so hard! You wouldn't think it would be so funny... but our family is warped and found it amazingly entertaining. lol! I left and Libby was making cookies. ;D

Nice to have Denise here so I didn't come to an empty house. Relaxing today. That's it for me today! Hope you all enjoy your week and thank you so much for praying! PRAYER WORKS!

More surprises.... Revive Us Lord!!!!

The day was different than planned which is beginning to be the norm. It started out normal enough... papa and I slept in. Then his blood pressure was low so I made him stay home and rest. I picked up Denise ...Don and Lois's daughter... they are moving over from Yakima next weekend and Denise is staying here for the week while they finish up there. Then we picked up a bored Maddie and we went to see mom.

Now is where the weirdness begins. We go into her room and I kiss her on the lips... the other two stayed back and a nurse comes in and said "Didn't you know this room is under quarantine? Didn't you see the Stop sign? " Then she took us to the nurses desk. They said they tested her for C-Diff (Clostridium difficile, often called C. difficile or "C. diff," is a bacterium that can cause symptoms ranging from diarrhea to life-threatening inflammation of the colon. Illness from C. difficile most commonly affects older adults in hospitals or in long term care facilities and typically occurs after use of antibiotic medications.) and we won't get the results until this morning. I was a bit freaked out.... they acted like she had the bubonic plague! I had to go brush my teeth and rinse my mouth... me, Maddie and Denise had to wash our hands good and put on gloves to go back in and no touchy. Upon researching it more.... it isn't as contagious as they made it seem.... but it is a hospital so they can react any way they want. Scared me, though! Mom didn't even know about it! The nurse then explained it to her. The symptoms are familiar:Signs and symptoms of severe infection include:

• Watery diarrhea 10 to 15 times a day
• Abdominal cramping and pain, which may be severe
• Fever
• Blood or pus in the stool
• Nausea
• Dehydration
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss

At least she got a private room! lol! Of course, we didn't stay long. She was tired, too. They had done tests on her etc... I called her at dinner and she was cheerful. She had a turkey dinner with potatoes and gravy, a biscuit and apple pie! She said it looked so good!!! She ate what she could. Just got off the phone with her and she slept really good and she was having french toast and sausage for breakfast and it looked good! She said what was suppose to be hot was hot... and what was suppose to be cold was cold. lol! She sounded better! I love her so much. Will be going there in a bit. No results yet.

Lauren spent the night last night. Her and Denise played Mario and then we watched "Diary of a Wimpy Kid". It was kind of funny. Lauren loved it.

I am done. Have a great day!

Back to the hospital.....

This is how I am hoping mama looks soon.... happy and laughing!

wow... what can I say about yesterday. You know, when you have one of those days and all seems planned out... then it all changes? That was my day.

It started out by going to pick mom up for her physical therapy. I get to her apartment and she is in bed SO sick! I call 911. While we were waiting... I am holding her hands and close to her face and she is staring at me. I said "You are looking at my messy hair, aren't you?" She said "No, I like your hair and your eyes. You are so beautiful." That was weird. Nice but strange. She also told me she thought she was going to die and started crying. I told her she wasn't and started praying together. The paramedics arrive and take her to Harrison Silverdale Hospital. Thankfully Lanny is with me the whole day yesterday!!!! He is amazing! We get to the hospital and they take blood and urine samples and monitor her. All her vitals were great. Almost perfect. Her coloring was better than I had seen it in a while. Things looked good but she hadn't eaten enough to keep a mouse alive and she was super weak. The doctor finally comes in and tells us she is severely anemic. What? Didn't anybody check for that before? So they sent her to Harrison Bremerton Hospital for overnight treatment. We got to the hospital and they had a room ready. We went to her room (nice room by the way) and got her comfy. We stayed for a bit and then let her sleep. I called before bed and they had been busy with her. They put the massaging things on her legs to prevent blood clots. They were getting ready to start a full blood transfusion. They won't give her food because they are going to do GI Endoscopy (camera down the the throat) and see why she is anemic and what is up with her stomach. She thinks they may do a colonoscopy also. Mom wants them to check out everything and make her better before she leaves this time! Can't blame her! She is tired of it all.

Anemia sure explains alot about mom's health! I should have thought of this.... I was very anemic at one time... and I know how it makes you feel. We'll be back at the hospital this morning. I am tired but thankful they may help her now!!!

Needless to say, I didn't get to see Makoa. Maybe this weekend. ;(

I am going to leave you with this. Here is something to share with you in case you have symptoms.... check it out:

Because a low red blood cell count decreases oxygen delivery to every tissue in the body, anemia may cause a variety of signs and symptoms. It can also make almost any other underlying medical condition worse. If anemia is mild, it may not cause any symptoms. If anemia is slowly ongoing (chronic), the body may adapt and compensate for the change; in this case there may not be any symptoms until the anemia becomes more severe.

Symptoms of anemia may include the following:

• Fatigue
  
  
• decreased energy
  
  
• weakness
  
  
• shortness of breath
  
  
• lightheadedness
  
  
• palpitations (feeling of the heart racing or beating irregularly)
  
  
• looking pale

Symptoms of severe anemia may include:

• chest pain, angina, or heart attack
  
  
• dizziness
  
  
• fainting or passing out
  
  
• rapid heart rate

Some of the signs that may indicate anemia in an individual may include:

• Change in stool color, including black and tarry stools (sticky and foul smelling), maroon-colored, or visibly bloody stools if the anemia is due to blood loss through the gastrointestinal tract.
  
  
• rapid heart rate
  
  
• low blood pressure
  
  
• rapid breathing
  
  
• pale or cold skin
  
  
• yellow skin called jaundice if anemia is due to red blood cell breakdown
  
  
• heart murmur

Our two Mom's!

Here is a photo of me with our two mom's! We went to Sequim to the restaurant on the spit called The 3 Crabs.... a wonderful seafood restaurant!!! num! Little did we know why my dad and sweet husband was laughing during the picture taking time.... they had US 3 ladies under the 3 crabs sign. funny, funny! They sure thought it was! I would give anything to go back to that day!

It has been two years today and it feels like it was only yesterday.... Papa's mom went to be with Jesus. She suffered from stomach cancer and it was really a day of rejoicing when she passed, but the selfish part of us miss her so much. I think about her all the time wishing I could call and talk to her..... hear her southern way of saying Joyce. I loved her so much and I look forward to being with her and my dad again. Here is a website I made for her. Please check it out: http://rememberingwaverly.blogspot.com/

Then I feel bad about my mom. I love her and she is driving me crazy and then I feel guilty about feeling that way! I brought her some things to eat and she got a little nasty with me! Libby was there and we kind of looked at each other... and then Lois called and saved the situation. I left shortly after. My feelings were hurt... mom apologized later and thanked me. Stressful time. You want to help but how much? Do we enable her? I bought some things that just needed a microwave (like precooked low sodium meatballs or these precooked grilled chicken fillets that are low in sodium and really flavorful!) Libby and I separated them into baggies for her and put them in her freezer. I got her a chicken and pasta salad she could nibble on. Things that will help her to take care of herself and build up her strength. She could easily sit and let us girls wait on her but she is capable and needs to take care of herself.

Last night I had a long talk with her. She said it is hard to take care of yourself when you don't care. That broke my heart to hear her say it. I told her how she raised fighters....girls that don't give up when they face rotteness! Mom has been through a lot in her life and never gave up! She is so much better when she fights for someone else... like she did dad...but when it comes to herself she just doesn't care. She doesn't think people care. She is on a sad pity party. I feel so bad for her because I don't know how it would feel to lose so many of your friends and family in this past year and feeling like crap with no strength or appetite. But on the other hand I want her to fight back. I said we need to forget the 3 meals a day.... but she does need to graze.... periodically through the day eat several bites of something or the other. And she needs to walk. If she starts to take ahold of her own health then she won't be butting heads with Libby and I! Last night she told me she didn't need me overnight. I told her to call any time during the night if she needs company. She didn't call and I talked to her this morning and she is fine. Maybe she will start enjoying the peace and quiet? I asked her to please not be crabby at me today when I have to take her to physical therapy. She does not want to go. But Lanny will be with us (bringing the enforcements or buffer) so I don't think she will get snippy with me. Having said all this.... this is tough. I want to control her feelings and I can't. So I turn to the Serenity Prayer I have on my site and try to remember that God will take care of mom. ;D

I am hoping to go see Makoa today!!!! Angela called last night and she is getting off early today and Kapono will be home too!

Got my haircut yesterday. No one will cut it as short as I want it... maybe they know something I don't... like I would look awful? Papa is getting his hair cut today.

Papa was home again last night and he is home today until 3! And it is Friday so we have the weekend coming up! Yippee!!!! Well... that is about all I got today. Have a wonderful weekend.

xoxo